HELP getting smoke out of clothes

Larumbelle

When we had our house fire we unfortunately found that the smell of smoke seemed to permeate the clothes no matter what we did - many still smelt even after repeated washing, and some of them eventually had to be ditched.

Part of the problem is that as long as you can smell smoke in the room, there are still smoke molecules in the air, and these will still settle anywhere and everywhere until you are rid of them. So air your room thoroughly, you'll just have to put up with the cold while you do, a dehumidifier can help as the smoke particles will get caught in the filters.

Once you know the room is free, start washing the clothes. Again, if you can smell the smoke, the smoke molecules are sill there. Hanging everything on the line afterwards will hopefully help.

Seakay

Fresh air will get rid of the smell of (eg) cigarette smoke, but unfortunately the smoke from a fire seems to contain "stickier" smelly particles. If the room still smell and you have already aired it, try wiping a slightly dampened cloth over some paintwork on the door or skirting, it may well be that there is a brown or grey deposit which is so fine and evenly spread that you cannot see it. If it is there then this is what is causing the smell in your room, it's furnishings and your clothes, and I'm afraid that there is no alternative to cleaning everything.
Sorry!

ema_o

I thought that might be the case .
I haven't hung them outside cos we didn't have a washing line 'till yesterday evening but I was thinking of trying that. I will also scrub the room, I had figured it wasn't worth putting any back until we get rid of the smell. We have aired it and I think it is reducing.
I have washed a couple of loads and they seem to be okay, I am most upset about my party dresses that are dry clean only, I will have to try and negotiate with the dry cleaners!

Butterfly_Brain

Try rinsing in white vinegar it might help

redruby

Try leaving things outside overnight, this should help to get rid of the smell.

hth

ema_o

Actually the smell does seem to be gradually going, we have just had the window open since Saturday and I am wearing trousers from in there and they seem fine, phew!!
I think we were lucky, there wasn't much smoke and most of what there was went straight into the airing cupboard so will need to sort out everything in there, but luckily there wasn't much.
Thanks for the replies, I may try the vinegar idea if I struggle with the airing cupboard stuff!

nanokitten

This is a job for febreze
I've never come across anything as good for getting rid of smoke smells, we used to use it as teenagers to hide the fact we'd had a party with people smoking in the house (and if suspicious DM cant detect the smell, its gone!).

Febreze contains cyclodextrins which are doughnut shaped molecules which trap bad smell molecules in the hole, spray it on all the soft furnishings or smoky clothes. get it in wilcos homebargains etc if you cant bare to pay full price for it.

Penelope_Penguin

Hi there! I'll add this to the existing thread that we have on getting the smell of smoke from clothes

Penny. x

almar_2

I put the items in a plastic container with a lid on and place sheets of bounce in between the layers of clothes and papers, books etc to remove the smell of smoke. I leave them for a few days like this and it works for me.


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